DOTr Dismisses Official for Detaining Patient's Ambulance

Photo courtesy of Balita

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has dismissed an official from the Special Action Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) following an incident where an ambulance was stopped on EDSA Busway-Santolan Station. The incident occurred on February 17, when Rayson Dela Torre halted an ambulance carrying a stage 4 cancer patient for a medical check-up, arguing that it was not an emergency. Despite the stoppage, the ambulance was eventually allowed to proceed on the busway.

Get today's headlines by email

Dela Torre defended his action stating that scheduled check-ups are not valid reasons for ambulance travel on the busway, explaining that only life-threatening emergencies should be allowed. However, Acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez clarified that all on-duty ambulances are permitted on the busway regardless of patient condition. In response, DOTr directed Dela Torre to provide an explanation to the affected patient’s family.

Following a thorough investigation, Dela Torre was officially removed from his role as the Special Operations Group Head of the EDSA Busway. This decision aims to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Additionally, the DOTr-SAICT has been instructed to implement a personnel reorientation for Dela Torre’s replacement to ensure adherence to proper protocols.

Key Takeaways

• DOTr removed an official after halting an ambulance on EDSA.

• All on-duty ambulances are permitted to use the busway without restriction.

• A reorientation for new personnel will be conducted to prevent recurrences.

Join the discussion?

  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Balita · 19 Feb 2026